Charles E. Armstrong

Compilations from Jeremy Crouse and Mary (Estey) Jones.

*If you would like to contribute information to this project, please email info@restorationhistory.ca*

Early Years and Middle Years

Compiled by Jeremy Crouse for Maritime Christian College, 1988.

Charles E Armstrong was born in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1886. He was the son of Frank and Minnie Armstrong. He had one sister, Mrs. Jennie Robertson, Duncan BC. 

In early life he accepted Christ as his Saviour and Lord: and in his young manhood responded to the call to the ministry. In order to prepare himself for the high and holy calling as a servant of Christ, he left St. John in Aug. 1905 to attend the Lexington Bible College of Lexington, Kentucky. In 1909, he was ordained to the Christian ministry in the Douglas Avenue Church of Christ by Charles B Appel and EC Ford.

On August 21; 1908, he was married to Louise M Murphy. The wedding was described as follows:

"The Douglas Avenue Christian Church, St. John, New Brunswick was the scene of a very pretty wedding on the morning of Aug. 21, 1908. Charles E Armstrong, the Sunday School Superintendent, and Louise M Murphy, one of the teachers, were married in the presence of a large number of friends. Both of these young people have been very active and earnest in the work of the church and have a very warm place in the affections of the members. After the ceremony the party proceeded to the Boston boat, en-route to the Annual Meeting at Lord’s Cove. The large number of beautiful presents received clearly indicated the love felt towards the bride and groom." -J.C.B. Appel, (THE CHRISTIAN, Sept. 1908).

Charles E Armstrong was very much involved in the church and loved by all. After he had returned from Lord’s Cove and his honeymoon, he filled in for the minister at Douglas Avenue numerous times and “his preaching was very earnest and he had the joy of influencing one to make a fresh start in the Christian life." (The Christian, 1908)

In 1909, he accepted the call to minister at River John, Nova Scotia. 

Bro. Charles E Armstrong of St. John, New Brunswick, having accepted a call from the church at River John, Nova Scotia, to labor with them in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, it was the editor’s privilege to be present on his arrival, and to introduce him to the brethren, who received him gladly. Bro. Armstrong has now been with these brethren since the second Lord’s day in May, and though there has been much stormy weather, the meetings have been encouraging, and from all we can learn the working is taking on new life in every particular. This, we consider, one of our most promising fields; and if the brethren will hold up the hands of their young preacher and encourage his heart by their earnest prayers for the success of the work and by their faithful attendance at regular services success is sure. But one should never forget that "we are workers together with God. First, workers; second, workers together; and thirdly, workers together with God." (THE CHRISTIAN, June 1909).

The work at River John was very encouraging. Mr. Armstrong reorganized the Sunday school, started a Bible study and held occasion services at Mountain Road and Sea Foam. He worked hard and had the respect of the people:

"We are glad to report the work here as’ still growing in interest. Since coming here the work has doubly increased and we have all faith in the work here. We believe with continued services a great deal can be accomplished. Of course this means we would have some additional help, as the brethren are few but are willing to do all in their power to advance the cause. The work in general seems to have taken on new life. The Sunday School is still growing. We were pleased with the offering for home missions. This is something the church has neglected in former years. But we are glad to see a missionary spirit growing in the church which certainly means growth.

A very special garden party was held by the members at the home of Bro. B S Langille, to which members of other churches gave their hearty support. Looking back over three months labor with this church (of which we have finished), we must say the work has been enjoyable and helpful to us, and we look for a bright future for the church at River John." C E Armstrong (THE CHRISTIAN, Aug. 1909).

In Oct. 1909, he moved on to minister at the Southville and South Range churches:

"Since coming here we have been encouraged with the work. In general the interest is growing and the brethren are willing to do anything within their power to advance the cause. This church has been without a regular minister for over 3 years, but their faith has been strong in the Lord. The regular services at Southville are well attended. On Lord’s day, Oct. 10, we reorganized the Bible school, with Bro. H E Wagner, superintendent. We look for great things from our Bro. with his earnest and devoted life. The average attendance has been about 48, which is indeed encouraging. The Bible school, however, is not for children only. So we are glad to report the Bible class growing. We have in it at present about 25 members.

The work at South Range is in some respects smaller than at Southville. While they do not number quite as many, yet their interest and faith in the work is immovable. While they have had practically no preaching during the past 3 years, yet they have met each Lord’s day to study the word of God and to break bread. May the great God bless and strengthen in the work. We expect when these lines are being read we shall be in our new home at Danvers. The service of Lord’s day in our home church has indeed been impressive, and as we leave there we feel that we are leaving those happy memories of our labours shall indeed go with us and be written on the very tablet of our hearts. 

May God indeed strengthen the work of our home church and may there be many men go from her midst to preach the Word of Christ, and may the labours of him whom we look up on as father, brother and friend, be greatly rewarded as he labors with the Douglas Avenue church." C E Armstrong, (THE CHRISTIAN, Dec. 1909).

Despite the fact that he was the first regular preacher there for over 3 years, the people responded to his message and the work met immediate success.

"We are glad to report the work at Southville very encouraging. The services are exceptionally well attended. Last Lord’s day the building was well filled and much interest was manifested. The prayer services, held at alternate Sundays are the largest, I am told both in interest and numbers that has been known since the organization of the church. 6 baptisms this month. Bible school is encouraging. Bro. H E Wagoner has been very successful as our Superintendent. May 22, organized two adult classes: Loyal Women 19, with Mrs. H E Wagoner, president, and Mrs. Armstrong, teacher; the Loyal Men, numbering 18, with Mr. Alfred Cosman, president, and Charles Armstrong, teacher, Charles Amero, assistant teacher. The classes have now entered into a contest which shall continue for 2 months.

At a business meeting of the congregation the writer asked permission to assist the brethren at Digby until further steps had been taken towards that work which was unanimously granted. We also realized the balance on the organ and raised the money for the choir chairs. We feel very thankful to know that now we have the organ and an efficient chair. We are now making some plans for renovating the interior of the building.

The services Lord’s day evening were encouraging notwithstanding our having driven 28 Miles: to reach there in time. Service well attended. We feel it would be a great hindrance to the cause to have building closed now that such an interest is manifested. I am sure the brethren are trying to do all within their power to forward the cause." C E Armstrong, (THE CHRISTIAN, June 1910).

In March, 1911, Mr. Armstrong took up restarting the work in Digby. The church here had been inactive for a number of years. Mr. Armstrong started having services the first Sunday of every month although he wanted more but couldn’t due to lack of time. He put out a plea for the Maritime churches to help support the work there. By November, he had services every first and third Sundays of every month. He continued working the churches at Southville, South Range and Digby until June 1912, when he accepted a call from the church in Summerside, P.E.I. 

Again one of his first concerns was the Sunday school. Mr. Armstrong believed in a strong Sunday School program to build the church and he was very successful in this field. A “Teacher Training’ class was started as well. He continued ministering at this church till June 1915, when he resigned to go back to college in Kentucky. 

After a couple more years of school, Mr. Armstrong accepted a call from the Montague church. He felt better equipped for the ministry now and went at it with his usual untiring and earnest attitude: 

"Bro. and Sister Armstrong came to Montague on the 4th Sunday in June, in response to a unanimous call from this church. We feel we knew Bro. Armstrong, even before he arrived, and were ready to give him a hearty welcome. Bro. Armstrong is a good preacher, we feel that he will carry on the work laid down by Bro. Henry with zeal and success. Sister Armstrong, who has made a study of missions and Bible school work, will greatly improve our prospects for CWBM work."  Lister Melish, (THE CHRISTIAN, August 1917).

While at Montague, Mr. Armstrong had the job of being preacher at large. This meant that he officially had no home church, but made his home at Montague. He travelled throughout the island preaching. In 1925, he officially retired from the Montague church and went full time into the position of preacher at large. During this time, he is credited with starting the churches at Fredericton and Murray River. He also held meetings in such places as Fredericton, New Glasgow, and Wheatley River.

This job of travelling around would have suited Mr. Armstrong just fine for he was no stranger to hard work. Those who remember him will first remember how he was a dynamo for work - both spiritually and physically:

"Mr. Armstrong felt like the Apostle Paul, when he (Paul) said, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel." While pastor of the Montague Church of Christ he demonstrated his capacity for work. Not only was he faithful and loyal servant of his Lord in preaching the gospel; he was also an ardent temperance worker. He associated himself with the worthwhile activities of the town; being a charter member of the Community Welfare League. He was a member of the St. Andrews Lodge A. F., and A. 4M. of Montague. It was in 1917 he and his wife and daughter came to Montague. In 1919 the influenza epidemic reached Montague. At that time, there was a shortage of ministers, and Mr. Armstrong gave himself wholeheartedly to the task of ministering to the sick and the burial of the dead. He brought comfort to many homes." (The Daily Gleaner,1958).

In the Spring of 1940, C E Armstrong was called to the pastorate at Burtt’s Corner, New Brunswick. He served there until 1955. Immediately after arriving at Burtt’s Corner, Mr. Armstrong showed his great leadership and hard working abilities. In 1941, the church decided to build a new parsonage on the church property. The minute book states:

"On June 26th, 1941 AD, under the great leadership of Rev. Charles E Armstrong, the sod was lifted by Charles E Burtt, Cecil and Douglas McDonald. In a few days the foundation was laid by Byron’ Gorman, Harding Jones, Ralph Colter, Luther Bubar, Charles Burtt, the only cost of this foundation was for the cement. At the same time the tearing down of the old building was taking place..."

Mr. Armstrong worked hard on this new building project. It has been said that he would go out and tear some of the old parsonage down (while he was still living in it!) then wheelbarrow the material to the new location and build on the new parsonage. He also went ahead to build a piece on the back of the church (church hall), reinforced the steeple and the ball on the top that is copper covered with black paint. The following poem was read during the dedication of the parsonage:

The Parson and the Parsonage

First off I’m going to tell,

Of a man people like real well.

He's a good preacher, carpenter the same,

And Charles E Armstrong is his name.

The parsonage was battered and old,

Wide cracks in the floors, let in the cold.

A new building should be in the making,

As repairs on the old would be some undertaking.

In June, nineteen hundred and forty one,

We held a meeting to see what could be done.

Motions were carried, money was paid,

The next few days the foundation was laid.

The men from Dorn Ridge and Burtt’s Corner too,

Gave help to build the parsonage anew.

Mr. Armstrong surely worked in haste,

And said he had not a moment to waste.

Now to say something that the women have done,

They worked, and labored from sun to sun.

Had food sales, sold hot dogs, too,

Varnished and painted to get through.

Four months had passed, and the day had come,

To have the dedication and raised a sun.

P W Pugh and followers from St. John,

Sang and helped the program along.

It was a very successful day.

Finances were met in splendid ways.

In this poem I have given people their rights,

But must mention the Sunday School bought the lights

I must finish; the hour is late,

Oh, just a minute folks, now wait.

Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, please come to the floor,

I have something to tell you as never before.

Please accept this gift, although small,

Our hearts, our love, are in it all.

And may you for many years to come,

Have health and happiness in your new home.

Vella B Jones

This poem sums up the hard work done by Mr. Armstrong and the very appreciative feelings of the community for him. He continued in Burtt’s Corner, strengthening the Sunday school program and introducing a V B S program in 1949.His first wife, Louise, died in 1946. (He had one daughter by this marriage, Vivian). During his pastorate in Burtt’s Corner, he married Mrs. Hattie Estey. (*see history at bottom of this page: Later life) 

While in Burtt’s Corner, Mr. Armstrong supplemented his income by working as a carpenter, plumber, and electrician. In 1954, he resigned.

During the next couple of years, he travelled to P.E.I. to visit some of his dear friends, and to minister in some churches’ on the Island which he loved so well. On Wednesday, July 30th, 1958, he died in his home in Burtt’s Corner after suffering from a stroke. He was 72 years of age.

Those who remember him will have to admit that he had a great impact on the communities in which he served. And served he did. He  was avery community minded person. He would do whatever it took to serve his Lord. Many days of his life he toiled for the good work.

His life was summed up by a close friend of his, G C Henry:

"I have been asked to comment on the life and work of our late brother Charles E Armstrong. I expect I knew Charlie longer than any of you. In 1904, I enrolled in the College of the Bible, Lexington, Kentucky, and there made contact of our late brother. I found him to be a very sincere and consecrated young man in kingdom enterprise.

Then after his graduation, I lost contact until I came to P. E. I. and during the last decade had fellowship with him again and his last of friends on the Island where I have learned of his many good works.

His first ministry on P. E. I. was at Summerside where he accomplished much for his master. His next ministry was at the Montague church, where the basement stands as a memorial to his labours. He is also to be remembered for his kindly ministry here toward the sick during the Flu epidemic, going among the people without fear or favour.

He was a man of diverse talents and active in all civic affairs. I need not say anything to you people of his ministry here as you all know how he loved you so and it seemed his heart was in this little church which he called his home church, and where he found the love of friends in return.

His next ministry was New Glasgow, Fredericton and Breadalbane and Cavendish. Today the Fredericton church stands as a further memorial to his untiring labours on that field.

He was next called to the church as Burtt’s Corner, New Brunswick, where an addition to the church is a further testimony. Then returning to the Island he took up the ministry at Cross Roads, Hazelbrook, Alexandra, Uigg.

Charlie married Miss Louise Murphy, St. John, New Brunswick and their only daughter, Vivian, is with us tonight.

Having mentioned the material work he did among us, who of us can estimate the spiritual harvest of souls recorded in the Book of Life. Having fought the good fight, finished the course and kept the faith, we can say:

Servant of God, Well Done! Thy glorious warfare’s past; The battle’s fought; the race is won, And thou art crowned at last."

Details on Charles E. Armstrong's later life 

Compiled by Mary (Estey) Jones

*Mary Jones is the step-daughter of Charles E Armstrong*

During Charles Armstrong’s pastorate in Burtts Corner, New Brunswick, he married Hattie A. Estey, and became the stepfather to her four children, aged 5, 10, 14 and 15. Mrs. Estey’s husband had died suddenly in 1944; with hired help she carried on with the farming of their property until 1948, when she sold the farm and moved to Burtts Corner. 

The story continues that after Louise Armstrong (Charles Armstrong’s first wife) passed away in early 1948, Mr. Armstrong declared he could not live without a woman in his life, so on September 27, 1948, he and Hattie Estey were married at Douglas Avenue Christian Church in Saint John by Rev. Mr. Carr, and all the family moved to the parsonage next to the Church of Christ in Burtts Corner, and happily lived together. Ask any one of those four children about their life with their stepfather, and you would be given a positive answer. Their needs were always met, be it food, clothing, boots, shoes, etc. There was lots of love in that household!

The family attended Sunday School and Church regularly; with Hattie becoming a Sunday School teacher for various aged groups. As well, the older sisters attended the group on Friday evenings known as Young People’s group. Charles Armstrong would have been the minister who baptized all four of his stepchildren in the Keswick River, just outside Burtts Corner.

Having now become a minister’s wife, Hattie Armstrong fit right in with the ladies of the Church of Christ, cooking for annual suppers, catering to weddings, etc. She joined the choir at the church. She also became a regular at the group known as the Ladies Sewing Circle, meeting every Tuesday evening, quilting until their fingers were sore, and enjoying each other’s company, and always a lunch of sandwiches and sweets after.

Both Charles and Hattie Armstrong worked tirelessly for the church at Burtts Corner, as well as at the Dorn Ridge Church of Christ where Mr. Armstrong held services every Sunday afternoon. Charles Armstrong resigned as minister of the two churches in New Brunswick, and moved to Prince Edward Island in November 1954, with Hattie and his two youngest stepchildren. By this time, Mr. Armstrong had presided at the marriages of his two oldest stepchildren, one in 1951 and one in 1953.

On PEI, the family took up residence in Hazelbrook, just outside Charlottetown, and Charles Armstrong looked after the ministerial needs of three churches in that area: Hazelbrook, Cross Roads and Alexandra. He and Hattie travelled to a small country area called Uigg one Sunday afternoon a month. Although all congregations were small, he was kept busy meeting the needs of all churchgoers. 

Even though the length of time spent living on Prince Edward Island was short, many lasting friendships were formed by all members of the family. The Island, of course, was home to Charles Armstrong many years previous to the 1950s. In August 1956, Charles, Hattie and the two children left PEI, moving back to Burtts Corner to the home Hattie still owned. In July 1958, Charles Edwin Armstrong suffered a stroke and passed away two weeks later, on July 30, 1958, at the age of 72.

MEMORIES ARE SUCH WONDERFUL REMINDERS OF A LIFE WELL LIVED